He said before the game he’d be surprised if Ryu was not at least “pretty good” against the Padres.

Ryu was great, matching Paul Maholm’s performance from a night earlier and striking out 10 over six scoreless innings, permitting only two singles.

“He’s competitive,” Mattingly said. “And he takes it personal when he gets hit a little bit.”

Ryu was hit a lot in his previous start against the Tigers, permitting a career-high seven runs while recording just seven outs.

“It was definitely a wake-up call,” Ryu said through a translator. “The last outing was very forgettable, so I came out today very focused.”

Because of a long bottom half of the sixth Sunday, Ryu was pulled after 92 pitches for right-hander Brandon League, who promptly put two men on.

Regardless, his 10-strikeout effort marked only the 17th time in the last century a Dodger pitcher had recorded double-digit strikeouts in six or fewer innings.

He also did it last year at Coors Field with 12 strikeouts in six frames.

Ryu finished the first half with a 3.44 ERA, a number he called “very unsatisfying.” He had a 3.09 mark at last year’s break.

Left-hander J.P. Howell cleaned up League’s mess. Right-hander Kenley Jansen earned his 27th save in the ninth but made it interesting, allowing the potential tying run to get to third base.

The Dodgers got their run when Dee Gordon singled with one out in the sixth and stole second. Carl Crawford then walked, and Yasiel Puig singled up the middle against San Diego’s All-Star starter, Tyson Ross, to bring in Gordon.

The owner of a biting slider, Ross struck out nine, walked one and allowed six hits.

“The guy today, he was filthy,” Mattingly said.

With the win, their second straight by the slimmest of margins, the Dodgers (54-43) secured their status as the top team in the National League at the break.

Dodgers manager Don Mattingly, left, congratulates Yasiel Puig after they defeated the San Diego Padres 1-0 on Sunday at Dodger Stadium. MARK J. TERRILL , AP
The San Diego Padres' Chris Denorfia reacts after he is picked off from first base to end the eighth inning on Sunday at Dodger Stadium. HARRY HOW , GETTY IMAGES
The San Diego Padres' Chris Denorfia, right, attempts to steal second as Dodgers second baseman Dee Gordon takes the throw during the eighth inning on Sunday at Dodger Stadium. MARK J. TERRILL , AP
Dodgers catcher A.J. Ellis, right, raises his gloves after relief pitcher Kenley Jansen, left, struck out San Diego Padres' Seth Smith, second from left, to end the game on Sunday at Dodger Stadium. MARK J. TERRILL , AP
The Dodgers' Yasiel Puig, right, hits an RBI single as San Diego Padres catcher Yasmani Grandal, left, and home plate umpire Jim Wolf look on during the sixth inning on Sunday at Dodger Stadium. MARK J. TERRILL , AP
Dodgers right fielder Yasiel Puig makes a catch on a ball hit by San Diego Padres' Carlos Quentin during the seventh inning on Sunday at Dodger Stadium. MARK J. TERRILL , AP
The San Diego Padres' Alexi Amarista and the Dodgers' Miguel Rojas react to a force out at second base on a fielder's choice during the sixth inning on Sunday at Dodger Stadium. HARRY HOW , GETTY IMAGES
The Dodgers' Yasiel Puig hits an RBI single during the sixth inning on Sunday at Dodger Stadium. MARK J. TERRILL , AP
The Dodgers' Carl Crawford, right, steals second as San Diego Padres second baseman Brooks Conrad takes a late throw from home during the first inning on Sunday at Dodger Stadium. MARK J. TERRILL , AP
Dodgers catcher A.J. Ellis, left, reacts to the strikeout of the San Diego Padres' Seth Smith for the final out of the game of a 1-0 victory against the Padres on Sunday at Dodger Stadium. HARRY HOW , GETTY IMAGES
Dodgers starter Hyun-Jin Ryu hits a grounder for an out during te sixth inning on Sunday at Dodger Stadium. HARRY HOW , GETTY IMAGES
The Dodgers' Adrian Gonzalez reacts to a strike during the sixth inning on Sunday at Dodger Stadium. HARRY HOW , GETTY IMAGES
The Dodgers' Andre Ethier reacts as he pops up for te third out of the sixth inning on Sunday at Dodger Stadium. HARRY HOW , GETTY IMAGES

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